Context: The Mikado's son, Nanki-Poo, has been living in disguise to escape his father's order that he marry the unattractive Katisha. Ko-Ko, Lord High Executioner of Titipu, in order to save his position, falsely reports that he has at last performed his first execution, of Nanki-Poo. The Mikado realizes that Ko-Ko's killing of the heir-apparent was unknowing, but under the law is forced to condemn him to death. Nanki-Poo suggests a solution to the problem: if Ko-Ko will marry Katisha and free the Prince from his obligation, Nanki-Poo will reveal to his father that he is really alive, and thus save Ko-Ko from death. Nanki-Poo will also be free to marry his true love, Yum-Yum. If this comes to pass, says the Prince, life to him will be as "welcome as the flowers that bloom in the spring,/ Tra la. . . ."